A Non-Moto Post in Memory of My Past Dogs

It's been just over a month since my last entry - much has happened since that time (some good, some really devastating) which explains the why. The devastating makes any of the good seem so insignificant right about now.

The really devastating...I've lost 2 very special and amazing dogs in under 2 years; another about 7 years ago though it still seems like yesterday in so many ways. I miss you beyond belief my boys and gal.

Last month I had to say my goodbyes to a beloved companion which has been beyond difficult. It's never easy to make the decision to let them go even though it is time and so unfair that their time with us is so short. It's so empty without her at my side. There are simply no words :'(. I love you gal and miss you so very very much.

 

While blogs aren't meant to serve as only a showcasing of images in general, this evening I am posting a collage of some various "favorites" of mine in memory of the 3 very special dogs that I was so lucky to have in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week's Rider Musings: Motovlogging, RAM Phablet Mount, and the Weather

Definitely posting a bit of a mish-mash here but anyhoooo...in order of the above, enjoy!

Motovlogging

I'm not sure why I am even contemplating it, but I am getting some pieces together to start doing some relatively informal motovlogging. Originally I had just planned to throw an action cam on my helmet or bike just to record for the sake of recording. Then I figured why not go ahead and do some vlogging at the same time. I have many fav motovloggers that I follow and watch when I am in need of a good laugh and/or gear reviews, how to's, etc. I have no doubt it is not as easy as it looks in any way, shape, or form, so I am confident in saying that it will be an interesting learning experience if anything!

As I speak, en route is a cheapo Ion Air Pro 2 (a freebie) and an external mic to give this moto vlogging thing a try. The reviews on it are relatively decent given it's price point and the features it offers.

Ion Air Pro 2 Review from www.cnet.com

I had really hoped to order the newer Sena Prism Action Tube Camera but good grief it is pretty much impossible to order one in Canada at the moment. It seems to be waitlisted essentially everywhere...huge disappointment!

Sena Prism Action Tube from www.sena.com

The Ion Air Pro 2 uses a 2.5mm mic (it unfortunately does not come with one) which can be a bit challenging to find a decent one so I may go ahead and order a Drift HD mic as that seems to be a popular mic choice for this unit.

At this point in time I'm not jumping ahead and getting a Go Pro or Drift Ghost S - both of these seem to be 2 of the more commonly used cams for motovlogging. They are on the list of maybes if all goes well in my newbie vlogging endeavors. Then I can use the Ion or Sena as a 2nd camera mount.

As a true introvert I am not sure how this will exactly pan out but hey why not...life's too short to not just go ahead try out new things that pique one's interest!

RAM Phablet Mount

So I've been grappling with what type of mount to try out on my CBR for my ginormous phone (all right I'll say it even though I hate the word for some weird reason...it just annoys me and I'm not sure why..."phablet"). Part of the challenge with my CBR250 is that there really isn't a ton of room anywhere for mounting accessories such as this without getting into adding them onto places where I don't really want them. I am also not hugely keen on suction type mounts.

So I think I will go ahead and give this RAM fork setup a go. Seems like a relatively decent apparatus overall and quite a few CBR250 riders have cited success with using them. Anyone reading this who has feedback on it - let me know!

RAM Mount. http://www.rammount.com

This Week's Upcoming Weather 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...well this sums it up nicely for me! Here is my random thought on this week's upcoming weather in a nutshell lol. Can you believe my DH actually bought this for me LOL! Truthfully, it makes me (and him) laugh every time I see it (and yes I do wear it but usually only around the house for obvious reasons!!). It indeed actually is a perfect addition to the weather snapshot.

CanadianMotoGal's Weather Thoughts of the Week

2012 Honda CBR250 Cheat Sheet: How to Adjust Clock/Time

For those of us who need a quick and easy Cheat Sheet despite having done this enough times to not need it!

Enjoy and feel free to save & share...

Riding Gear Menu Selection for Today's Ride...& Still no Sena Prism Action Tube for me yet :(

Isn't it great when you start getting to the point where you actually kind of have a "Riding Gear Menu" from which to choose what you are going to wear for the ride of the day based on what the riding conditions will be like?

My ATGATT (All the Gear, All the Time) Lineup for Today's Ride:

ATGATT: CanadianMotoGal's Gear Lineup for Today's Ride

My Alpinestars Jacket shown above is actually the Perforated Version so today I choose to wear my Warm & Safe Heated Liner under it since when I left it was only about 15 degrees Celsius so I find that at highway speeds above 100 km/hr it can be a bit chilly when riding in anything below 20 Celsius (yes I am a wimpy wimp in what I consider to be "cool" temps).  The fit with this liner under my jacket is pretty sung but completely doable for me. As I only had my thin baselayer top under that, if the weather warmed up enough, I could easily remove the liner and stash it in my handy and much loved Kriega-20 tailbag.

Kriega-20 Tailbag on CBR250

My Gear Reviews for the Gear Listed in the Above Photos are Available as Listed Below.

1. Alpinestars Stella GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket 
2. Alpinestars Stella Andes Drystar Pants
3. Shoei Photochromic Transitions Shield (also see my Video Review of this Product & Please Subscribe)
3. Alpinestars SMX-6 WP (Waterproof) Ladies Boots
4. Alpinestars Stella SP-2 Gloves
5. Warm & Safe Gen 4 Heated Ladies Jacket Liner
6. Kriega-20 Tailbag
7. Why I wear a Balaclava (not really a gear review per se but just in case you were wondering why!)

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or feedback, let me know! What's you preferred gear on any given day? Post in the comments section below!

Oh yes, almost forgot...I was notified yesterday that the Sena Prism Action Tube that I had ordered the day previously is out of stock so I am once again on the waiting list. :(. It is amazing how difficult it is to get my hands on one of these in Canada!

Sena Prism Action Tube...Patiently Waiting for Mine!

Out & About Pic of the Day: High Moose Collision Area Highway 16 East

It was an amazing day for a leisurely Out & About ride. Despite the Warning Sign, no Moose were seen :)

North Central British Columbia Highway 16 East High Moose Collision Area

Our Canadian Riding Playground from the Perspective of VRIDETV.com...Very Cool

From www.canadiangeographic.ca

Canada is truly an outdoor adventure playground. The scenery, variety, and sheer geographical size also make it an amazing country to ride through and explore.

I happened upon VRIDETV.com via their Twitter. If you are curious or interested in exploring what Canada has to offer you in terms of a road trip (not only as a rider), check out their vast collection of YouTube videos that showcase over 18,000 km of Canada from the perspective of a rider.

Enjoy! And "welcome" to Canada ;)

GEAR REVIEW: Dainese Laguna Evo Pelle Lady Non-Perforated Jacket

My Rating: 4 / 5  

Originally Posted May 2016 (See Below for the Updated Review)

It's a Dainese. It's a beautiful looking jacket. It has great protection and great reviews. It has a removable liner. It has the pant to jacket zipper connection. This model has sadly now been discontinued. The good news about that is that it was therefore on sale as it was a clearance item...SOLD and mine!

I bought this in a Size 46 as I wanted it for early Spring/Fall Riding and plan to use it for my work commute as well (so I can wear a sweater or hoodie etc under it plus my heated liner on those cooler mornings). I kind of wish I had bought the 42 or 44 to wear as a more everyday type jacket as I *love it*. The 46 definitely fits too loose for my likes if I remove the liner or wear only a thin shirt. Although I'm sure I will be happy to have it in the size 46 when Fall rolls around and I want to wear a thick shirt with my Warm & Safe Heated Jacket Liner. Plus it will give me a good excuse to eventually purchase the Dainese D1 Racing or Rev'It Xena that I currently have on my Wishlist ;)

I will add a more comprehensive "impressions & review" once I have put some miles on this jacket so stay tuned! (Updated - scroll down a bit and see below).

Note: The Dainese Manis D1 G1 back protector that I ordered does NOT fit in this jacket. Numerous sites I visited stated that for the Manis D1, the G1 was the size to order for the Dainese Ladies' Jackets. My experience is that this was not the case for this jacket so just thought I would offer a heads up on this. On that note, perhaps it fits in the larger sized jackets in this model ??  but I really don't have one to try that with. One of the store associates that I ordered the back protector from assured me that she was able to get it in a similar sized jacket of the same make/model but that it had to be bent and stretched to get it to fit and it involved a lot of pulling on the zippered opening....the instructions that came with it specifically stated to not stretch the back protector so I chose not to. Additionally, I was really not keen on pulling so hard on the insert pocket to risk damaging it. I actually just went ahead and grabbed my Alpinestars Nuc. KR2i from my A* GP Plus R Leather Jacket and it fit just fine. So I may exchange the protector between the 2 jackets until I can find a different protector that will fit and is hopefully CE-Level II rated. If anyone has any suggestions for something that will work for this jacket, I am all ears and would love your suggestions!

UPDATE - June 2016. I exchanged the Manis D1 G1 for the Wave G1 and it fits 100% PERFECT in this jacket. I actually prefer the feeling of the A* KR2i (seems to fit a bit less bulky) but I did put that one back into my A* GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket where it technically belongs. Now to wait for the weather to warm right up so I can actually wear that jacket :).

UPDATE - Jacket Review June 2016. So now that I've had the chance to ride about in this new jacket, I feel pretty confident about giving it a 4/5 stars.

Sizing wise and based on my measurements, if I did not want to wear a thicker hoodie and my Warm & Safe heated liner in it, I would have likely been better off with a 42. On that note, I specifically wanted this particular jacket for not only the protection features, but also because I felt it would be a great option for Spring and later Fall riding since it does have a removable liner, does not move much air, and the collar sits a bit higher up. The arms are also a bit of a looser fit so layering the hoodie and additional heated liner does not cut off the circulation to my lower arms and hands when in a riding position. For this purpose (good protection + keeping me warm while I have the extra layer on), the jacket has performed very well indeed. I do have a lightweight rain overcoat that I can throw on as well if needed. I really probably could have gone with a more versatile textile jacket but I'm really still far more partial to leather at this point in time although I definitely have my eye on a couple really great textile choices (Rev'It Sand, Neptune, etc).

My Pros: Style is flattering. Classy look with low-key brand labeling. Quality leather. Very nice workmanship for seams/zipper. Zip attachment to pair with Dainese pants. Higher collar. Comfortable in both a more relaxed and more aggressive riding position. Protection rating (with the added back protector which needs to be purchased separately as it does not come with one otherwise). The price was right (on sale). Removable thermal liner. One inner pocket in the liner that is a generous size (fits my Samsung Note 4 phablet perfectly) and 2 outer pockets.

My Cons: I find the cut of the arms is too wide/loose overall. This can be a benefit/pro if worn with layers as I am and as I have described in my earlier narrative. If I was wearing this as a regular jacket with only a base layer/simple shirt, I would definitely find that the arms fit way too loose for my liking. It is like they almost "puff out" around the elbows and just below the elbows (upper lower arm area if that makes sense). The zipper to pant attachment is not a full 360 so I feel that my abdominal area would not be as well protected as it could be - it seems that even when connected to the pants, there is alot of movement of the jacket around my front waist area. This could be because the jacket has a more relaxed/looser fit overall in addition to it being a tad on the larger size for me (because I wanted to wear my heated liner and thicker hoodie under it). The liner attachment at the wrist area could be better - sometimes trying to take the jacket off results in the arms of the liner wanted to bunch up in the jacket.

All in all, overall it's a keeper in my books :)

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GEAR REVIEW: Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield

Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield

My Rating = 4.5 / 5

Having now had the opportunity to test out the Shoei CWR1 Transitions photochromic shield in a variety of conditions including cooler temps, overcast skies, bright sun, and riding west directly into the setting glare before dusk, I have to say that I give this shield a solid 4.5/5 stars. 

See my Video Review of it here.

The Helmet: Shoei RF 1200
A bit on why I went with the Shoei RF 1200 (feel free to skip this paragraph if you only want to see the Transitions review below) since I was on the fence about which new helmet to purchase: The Shoei RF 1200 or Schuberth C3W Pro. I *really* wanted a transitions shield to accompany my new helmet so I also had a look at the Bell line of helmets too. Based on some of the more recent reviews I've been reading and given the price of the Schuberth, I decided to hold off on the C3W (maybe next time) since it does not offer a transitions option (although it does have the internal visor which might also be a nice feature...not sure how well that would work on the days I decide to wear my glasses rather than my contacts though...). While the modular helmet would definitely be nice, I hold no real dislike for a full face in any way so I figured the Shoei RF 1200 would likely fit the bill quite nicely. I based my decision on this purchase on the following "wants" that were on my list for a new helmet: 1) Pinlock option (since I do quite a bit of riding in cooler temps that are also often wet and soggy), 2) Transitions Shield as an option, 3) Relatively quiet in terms of wind noise ( I do wear ear plugs) , 4) Light, 5) Available in White, and 6) Decent choice for ovalish head.  Thus, the RF 1200 pretty much seemed to be the one that would fit the bill for pretty much all the items on my list.

The Shield: Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions
For any of you who are in Canada and not sure who to order gear through online...
As with the majority of my other gear, I purchased the CWR-1 shield from Canada's Motorcycle (soon to be [Fall 2016] re-named to FortNine). Once again, purchasing from this supplier was quick, easy, and my package arrived quite promptly and well packaged as per usual. Based on my experiences with ordering my gear online in Canada, this is currently my go-to company to deal with as even when needing to return items, they make it hassle free. Additionally, I am never disappointed with what is in the box as it is obvious the order is carefully checked and packaged.

The shield did not come with an additional pin-lock so I just used the one that came with my helmet (although if I needed to buy one that would be an additional ~ $40.00). For me, the pinlock is a must have as I despise any fogging on my visor and I do ride often in cooler temps and/or wet conditions. I removed my clear shield from the helmet and pinlock from the clear shield, then added the pinlock to the new transition shield (inserting the pinlock can be a bit tricky in having to bend it while trying to not scratch the shield at all!) and then viola - my new visor went onto the helmet ready and raring to go. I was *so excited* about having this new shield, especially for the days that I ride with my glasses instead of my contact lenses. 

I was curious as to whether the shield would work well enough in our climate since it usually isn't super warm here and it did mention on the product description that temperature can cause fluctuation in performance. So I actually thought it might not darken all that well in everyday riding conditions here. I am happy to report that this was not the case at all - it darkens perfectly well even in the "cooler warm" temps (eg 12 degrees C) providing it is light out. I have been pleased with the transition in various conditions while wearing it as it darkens quite quickly. It does take a bit of additional time to fade out to clear. This is not highly problematic in most riding conditions (eg from sunny to overcast) but if you find yourself having to suddenly ride through a dark tunnel you may find that you need to flip up your visor as you may find it a bit too dark otherwise. This is not a deal breaker for me in any way but I did degrade the rating a tiny bit simply because I do find that the fade takes a bit longer than I would really like. It is, to me, a worthwhile trade-off though.

I have not found that the visor scratched more easily than any other visor I have had. I have washed it a good 1/2 dozen times now with a soft microfibre cloth and warm water (have not needed any soap)  without issue. 

A few people have asked me how dark it gets and how quickly, so to give a pic visual, here are a few photos. I did videotape the transition from clear to dark and then dark to clear but haven't included it on here as a) I have not yet edited it and I am already late in posting a review so wanted to get something posted as the start of sunny riding season is here!, and b) believe it or not but by the time I moved the helmet on the deck and placed the timer in front of it and got ready to hit record, it had already darkened to a pretty dark smoke color. Yup, I would say it transitions to dark very quickly!

Comparing Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield (Left) with HJC Clear Shield (Right)

Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield (with Shoei RF-1200 XS Helmet) in indirect daylight that was coming through the Window

Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield in Direct Sunlight (Temperature 17 Degrees Celsius). The shield darkened to this tint in under 30 seconds (Compare to the photo above - by the time I set it on this outdoor surface and placed the timer in front in preparation to video it, the shield had transitioned to this already). Pretty excellent!

In giving this shield a rating of 4.4/5, it lost 1/2 point due to it being on the higher price point end (about 200.00 CAD for the shield + about 45.00 CAD for the pinlock insert) and also because I do find it takes a bit long to transition from dark (not a deal breaker by any means). Otherwise it has definitely been one of my gear purchases that I have been most happiest with!

If anyone has any questions about my experience with this product, please let me know and I will do my best to answer!

Enjoy Your Ride and Have a Safe One! 

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GEAR REVIEW: Alpinestars Stella Andes Drystar Women's Pants

A* Stella Andes Drystar Pants

Alpinestars Stella Andes Drystar Women's Pants

 

This review is based on having worn this product for about 5000 km of both city and hwy riding. Size: Medium as per the sizing guide and they are very true to size (I would say on the smaller fitting end of the scale) but I like my gear to fit relatively snugly.

Overall Impression: Well worth the buy! They are comfy in the riding position and I can wear them comfortably off bike as well.

ARMOUR/ZIPPERS/COVERAGE: Good quality knee armour. Hip area is padded ok. Zippers all good quality. These pants work well to provide great lower back coverage and prevent cold drafts - I wear these pants with the A* Stella GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket (size 42) and the zipper connection for pant-to-jacket works well. Knee armour required a bit of breaking in at first (about 10 decent long rides) as was quite stiff and a bit irritating to my knees in a sport riding position but now poses no issues in terms of comfort.

Have worn these in some pretty significant downpours and am quite happy with the waterproofing. They also work quite well in temps of 4-5 C with the removable liner in at hwy speeds (>80 km/hr). When it gets warmer our, the vent zippers on the side do help to cool things off well and the removable liner is a nice feature of these pants for sure. I appreciate the 2 zippered front storage thigh pockets. I can easily fit a decent amount of wallet cards, some cash, lip balm, and my keys for those times that I don't feel like bringing along a tote or bag.

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GEAR REVIEW: Alpinestars Stella S-MX 6 Waterproof Women's Boots

A* Stella SMX-6 WP Boots

Alpinestars Stella S-MX 6 Waterproof Women's Boots

This review is based on use of these boots after having done approx 5000 kms of city and hwy riding.

Size: 39 (Foot length 9.75", narrow foot)

FIT: Awesome fit for my feet! I used the sizing guide and they fit spot on with a set of gel inserts. I have a pretty narrow foot (particularly in the heel area) and often have a difficult time finding footwear that works so I couldn't be happier having purchased these! I wanted to include my thoughts on fitment since this can be so challenging (and frustrating!!) when ordering online.

FUNCTION & COMFORT: I wanted a boot that I could wear for a few hours at a time (at a minimum) off bike as well and these fit the bill. I have worn these at work standing/walking around for over 3 hrs and they are really quite comfy. Perhaps the gel inserts I use help with keeping them comfy. Riding is fabulous with these as well - no issues in terms of the pegs/shifter/brakes and the heel height and reinforced toe is just right. For a boot that offers such decent CE protection, it is very comfortable and offers better than expected flexibility where needed. The sole seems to work well for traction on pavement that is wet and/or a bit slippery. Would like a little more grip for looser surfaces (eg some loose gravel).

ZIPPERS/VELCRO/COVERAGE: Good quality zippers & velcro adjustment. Pretty easy on/off and everything stays put as it should. A bit more cumbersome to put on than I would like but understandable for the style of boot.

WET RIDING: I have worn these in very wet riding conditions and in temps of about 4 degrees C. My feet have remained DRY although when its colder out (4 C) my toes do get a bit cool. Wearing a nice wool sock has helped.

As a personal preference, I would prefer that the boot was a little less logo-ish on the front (maybe a dark grey logo rather than white). It would also be nice to maybe have a little bit more height in the sole just for those of use who could use an extra bit of height :). Overall, I would say a very nice boot well worth buying.

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GEAR REVIEW: Alpinestars Women's Stella SP-2 Gloves

Alpinestars Stella SP-2 Gloves

This review is based on having used these gloves for ~ 5000 kms thus far of city and hwy riding. Size: Small.

I ordered a size small based on the measurements listed on sizing guide and the fit is absolutely perfect (the fingers may seem a tiny bit long but when in riding position on the grips, they are actually perfect). Definitely a good purchase choice, especially for Summer riding. A bit cool in the fingers for Spring/Fall conditions.

Nice quality leather overall. The armour over the knuckles is comfortable even during extended riding. I have not experienced any numbness or cramping in my hands or fingers as I don't feel that there are any constricted areas. Overall, I am super happy with these gloves, as they fit very nice and really required no "break in" period to be comfortable.  The cuff is nice and high and wide enough to easily cover over my jacket cuffs (A* Leather jacket). Easy to get on and off.

I would say these gloves work great in temps above 15 degrees C at hwy speeds. Lower than that and they are a wee bit chilly although I do put hand warmer packs in the top slot opening which really helps (although fingers still get cool). On that note, I do realize and knew that these were not really my top pick for cool weather riding but more for summer hwy conditions, to which they are great!

For the price, I would like to see a visor wipe strip included on thumb as this is always a handy feature.

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GEAR REVIEW: Dainese Pony C2 Pelle Lady Pant

DAINESE PONY C2 PELLE LADY PANT

I decided to order Size 44 based on my true measurements and the Dainese Sizing Chart. I ordered these pants from GP Bikes as Canada's Motorcycle (soon to be switched over to the new name FortNine) was out of stock in my size. Upon receiving my package, I was dismayed to find that the knee armor in one of the legs was missing. Mistakes happen - it's how they are dealt with that really counts in my books. I will therefore do an update with the outcome of this once I connect up with GP Bikes in the morning. 

UPDATE #1 June 7/2016: I am *STILL* waiting for the one leg armor piece to arrive. I was sent one but it was the incorrect size for this pant so I needed to send that one back before they would send me the correct one. It has now been over a month since I have received these pants and I am still missing the armor for the one leg...I have "borrowed" one from my A* pants in the interim. Needless to say, it has been a disappointment to wait. I will update once again to see what the outcome is on this...

Wrong armour piece sent to replace missing armour in leg....Ummm, nope that won't fit

UPDATE #2 June 9/2016: Yay My missing leg armour piece has finally arrived!! Aaaaannnnnd.....it FITS. Glad that GP Bikes finally got it right but from start of getting the pants to finally receiving the missing armour piece, it was well over a month which seems pretty excessive to me considering I don't live in some remote (ok so I am kind of remote but still I am in a city!) little island with monthly postal service ??? Ah well, I am over it and just want to finally get these properly broken in.

OK back to the review. When I first took them out of the box my first thought was "wow these are gorgeous!". My second thought was "wow these look SMALL!" I was not convinced that I would be able to get these on over my thighs let alone my hips, particularly since I have a small waist in comparison to my hips/butt. I did as one should do when preparing to don a pair of leather motorcycle trousers, and I put on my thin, body-hugging moisture wicking baselayer pants. Happily, I did not have too many struggles getting them on. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world but it wasn't the most difficult. It was easier than trying to get a pair of non-stretch skin tight jeans on lol. The leather is fine quality. The stitching and workmanship is excellent. Did I say they are gorgeous? Once on, they are super snug (but will stretch a bit being leather hence why I went with the Size 44), flattering (nice low key yet good hip protection), quite comfortable, and the armor sits in the perfect position (well, in the leg that actually has the armour lol) and is not at all irritating/uncomfortable. 

I couple of cons that I have noted thus far: 1) I do find the length to be a bit too short for my taste (the bottom of the pant reaches just above my ankle malleolus) and I am slightly vertically challenged at 5' 4-1/2" but with a decent inseam (groin to floor) of 30". The length is doable enough though - they tuck into my A* Stella S MX-6 boots well enough and is ok in the riding position. 2) I am also feeling that they ride a bit low in the back and hip area - it almost feels that they aren't pulled up all the way/the lumbar area sags out somewhat. When connected with the pant to jacket zip connector, this is essentially a non-issue. Once the hip & butt areas break in a bit I am projecting that this may help with the settling position of the pant for my shape.

I will post a more comprehensive update and review once I have a bit of riding time on these pants as a review having just barely worn them is not incredibly accurate IMHO.

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GEAR REVIEW: Alpinestars Stella AST-1 Waterproof Women's Pants

 

This review is based on having worn this product for approx 2000 km of in town and hwy riding. I purchased these to wear as an Overpant for work commute days once the weather got cooler/wetter

Size: Large (to be worn as an overpant on commuting work days). Based on that, they do fit loose, but that is exactly what I wanted as I can comfortably wear a pair of thick jeans or even thicker shell/fleece lined pants under them perfectly! These do make a great overpant overall, keeping in mind that I would not be able to wear these on their own or even with a lightweight base layer without swimming in them.

These pants offer good quality zippers and nice decent sized zippered storage pocket on the thigh. The knee armour does sit a tiny bit too low for me but I did order these a size larger than regular sizing chart due to above (to use as overpant). I think I may try stitching a seam across the lower armor packet so it can hold the armor up a bit higher to improve the comfort. Once I am on the bike and adjust the armor, it is fine but I would prefer that it be in the correct spot right off the bat in case of a spill. I wear these pants with the A* Stella GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket (listed above) so there is a waist zipper connection that offers great coverage and comfort for the lower back area.

Have worn these pants in some pretty wicked downpours (for about 20 mins total length each time) and was quite pleased with the results of the waterproofing.I do wish the ankle zipper along the outside ran a bit higher. These pants would actually be awesome with a full side length zipper for ease of on/off without removing footwear (since they do make for an awful nice overpant!).

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GEAR REVIEW: Kriega US-20 Drypack

Kriega US-20 Drypack as a tailbag mounted on my 2012 Honda CBR250R

Kriega US-20 Drypack

This review is based on having used this product for approximately 2500 km of in town and highway riding.

What can I say - I LOVE my Kriega drypack! With a 20 L capacity this is a perfect tailbag for my needs. With a bit of creativity, it works perfectly on the tail of my 2012 Honda CBR250R. I actually used zip ties for 2 of the anchor tabs under the seat as there was otherwise no where to really mount the two tabs. If anyone would like pics on how I did it, let me know and I can post my "how-to" for this.

I can fit my rain jacket shell, extra gloves, medium sized purse, small lunch, some file folders, and a few other goodies in this bag with ease. I can actually fit my Sony Vaio Laptop in it as well. When it's relatively empty, it can still be cinched up nicely and remains secure on the tail. This works great if I am planning on doing a bit of shopping on m way home as I can load it up with a pretty decent amount of stuff.

Completely Waterproof? YES! Thanks to the inner waterproof "liner" that can be taken out for cleaning/wipedowns. I have used this bag through some major downpours and everything I had in the bag stayed bone dry! The top zippered pocket may not fair quite so well in drenched conditions, although it is water resistant. If I want any items I put into this pocket to remain completely dry, I ensure they are in ziploc bags/waterproof baggies.

The other thing I LOVE about this bag is that it has a sling shoulder strap that can be snapped on/off wiht ease so once you take it off the bike you can just sling it over your shoulder and be on your merry way. Essentially you can use it like a giant "purse" or hip tote if you like that sort of thing. Although I have not/do not use it in this manner, it can also be worn while riding in courier style with the strap and/or also as a tank bag with the tank bag adapter (sold separately). All in all, for me, the Kriega US-20 makes the perfect work commuter bag.

I do wish it had a loop inside the top zippered pocket as this would be a great spot to easily hook my house keys on and make it easy peezy to find and access them when I get home rather than trying to dig through to find them. An additional smaller zippered pocket on top of the current one to perhaps keep a smaller wallet in would also be highly welcome in my books.

Overall....Kriega quality....tick!

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GEAR REVIEW: Warm & Safe 65 Watt Generation 4 Heated Women's Jacket Liner

Warm & Safe 65 Watt Gen 4 Heated Women's Jacket Liner

This review is based on having used this product for approximately 400 km of highway riding.

Size: Small (ordered based on my measurements & manufacturer sizing chart and I would say it was true to fit for me - arm length also perfect). When standing in an upright position, the jacket seems to "puff out" in the should blade area. I am presuming this is to accommodate the riding position since once the riding position is assumed, the fit is great. There are stretch panels that run along the side of the jacket as well to help with a nice snug fit. As is explained with any heated gear reviews/product info etc, you want the liner quite close to your body so a lightweight garment should be worn under the liner rather than something too thick as otherwise the warmth will not be felt as well/adequately.

The best way I can describe this product is that is borders on being...umm....ok I'm gonna say it...orgasmic. Yes indeed, I am not sure that there is much that can beat the sensation of being enveloped in warmth when cruising along at 100 km/hr + in temps below 12 degrees Celsius (~ 53 F). I have no other words that can adequately do justice to explaining the pure pleasure of this...ok I think you all get the idea now! When the heat cranks up I seriously want to sing for joy lol.

The added bonus to this purchase was that I ordered it directly from Warm & Safe and got a great price on it via the Outlet Clearance. As use of the jacket requires a heat troller to be installed on your bike, I also ordered the "Single Remote Control" heat troller. I was tempted to order the dual version since I do plan on getting the heated gloves as well at some point in time (the gloves can plug directly into the jacket liner via plug ins that come out of the sleeve cuffs) but I decided to cheap out and get the single (which was also on clearance) in the interim since I wasn't sure if this whole "heated gear" thing was for me...if you've read my intro on this jacket I am pretty confident that it most definitely is so in retrospect I am thinking that I do wish I had ordered the dual. The only difference with the dual is that it would afford the option to heat the gloves at a different temperature than the heated jacket so I will see what I think once I take the plunge and get the gloves...I may be quite fine with the single. If not, I will just go ahead and order a dual :).

So why did I go for the 65 watt jacket instead of the 90 watt? Well, to sum it up: 2 reasons. 1) As I already mentioned, I wasn't entirely sure that "heated gear" was for me so this was most certainly a bargain price to try it out first, and 2) My ride is a CBR250 so based on the calculations I could find online, I figured the 65 watt would provide me with more than enough warmth for my riding needs (I am not going to be riding in anything less than 4C/39F and on those colder days, it will only be the commute to work rather than touring around for the ride) without taxing what my ride could afford me in terms of the wattage my 250 could generate. Loosely, it was looking like something along the lines of 340 watts @ 5000 rpms before factoring in headlight, turn signals, brake light usage etc etc, so this would leave about 150 watts (?) for heated gear. Now as I want heated gloves as well (about 20 watts) I felt more comfortable with a bit more "cushion" factor that the 65 watt jacket would offer.
 

The troller install was a breeze considering I am a total noob when it comes to doing such "electrical" type things. I mounted the remote control using the velcro fastener provided although I may alter/mount it elsewhere. It works ok where it is - not much room on the CBR250 for mounting add-ons. I watched the YouTube Warm & Safe Videos a couple of times and off I went with the successful and painless install.

Seriously, if you ever ride in cooler weather....get one. You will not regret it.

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